EP2236859B1 - Auto-tensioner - Google Patents
Auto-tensioner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2236859B1 EP2236859B1 EP20100157667 EP10157667A EP2236859B1 EP 2236859 B1 EP2236859 B1 EP 2236859B1 EP 20100157667 EP20100157667 EP 20100157667 EP 10157667 A EP10157667 A EP 10157667A EP 2236859 B1 EP2236859 B1 EP 2236859B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- screw rod
- nut member
- flank
- pressure
- internal thread
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
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- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 30
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 15
- 239000010705 motor oil Substances 0.000 description 12
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010079 rubber tapping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16H—GEARING
- F16H7/00—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members
- F16H7/08—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains
- F16H7/0848—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains with means for impeding reverse motion
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16H—GEARING
- F16H7/00—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members
- F16H7/08—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains
- F16H2007/0802—Actuators for final output members
- F16H2007/0806—Compression coil springs
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16H—GEARING
- F16H7/00—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members
- F16H7/08—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains
- F16H2007/0802—Actuators for final output members
- F16H2007/0812—Fluid pressure
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16H—GEARING
- F16H7/00—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members
- F16H7/08—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains
- F16H7/0848—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains with means for impeding reverse motion
- F16H2007/0857—Screw mechanisms
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16H—GEARING
- F16H7/00—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members
- F16H7/08—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains
- F16H7/0848—Means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains with means for impeding reverse motion
- F16H2007/0859—Check valves
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an auto-tensioner for maintaining the tension of a chain or a toothed belt for driving camshafts of an automotive engine.
- a tension adjusting device which comprises a chain guide pivotable about a pivot shaft, and an auto-tensioner for pressing the chain through the chain guide.
- One known auto-tensioner of this type includes a nut member having an internal thread on its inner periphery, a screw rod having an external thread on its outer periphery that is in threaded engagement with the internal thread of the nut member, and a return spring biasing the screw rod in the direction to protrude from the nut member, thereby removing slackness of the chain by protruding the screw rod from the nut member (see for example: JP patent publications 9-280330A , 2008-267560A and 2007-218371A ).
- the nut member is fixedly mounted in a cylindrical housing having an open end and a closed end such that an end of the screw rod protruding from the nut member is located nearer to the open end of the housing, whereby the screw rod presses the chain.
- the nut member is slidably inserted in a cylindrical housing having an open end and a closed end such that an end of the screw rod protruding from the nut member is located nearer to the closed end of the housing and is in abutment with a rod seat provided in the housing, whereby the nut member presses the chain.
- the tension of the chain 6 may be kept high. But since the chain does not vibrate while the engine is not running, no slip occurs between the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread, thus keeping the screw rod in a fixed position. This makes the chain less likely to slacken when the engine is restarted, thus allowing smooth restart of the engine.
- JP 10-184824A which is considered as the closest prior art, discloses a tensioner with a nut member having an internal thread and a screw rod having an external thread.
- the internal thread and the external thread have asymmetrical flanks.
- the flank angle of the external thread is larger than the flank angle of the internal thread so that the influence of the abrasion of the threads on the displacement between the internal and external threads caused by axial load can be reduced.
- slippage between the flanks of the external thread and the internal thread is not prevented effectively due to the low friction force between the threads.
- An object of the present invention is to prevent formation of oil film between the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread due to the squeezing effect, thereby stabilizing the damper effect of the auto-tensioner and to prevent slippage between the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread more effectively.
- the present invention provides an auto-tensioner in which the pressure flank of the external thread has a flank angle that is smaller than the flank angle of the pressure flank of the internal thread.
- an oil film expelling groove is formed in at least one of the pressure flank of the external thread and the pressure flank of the internal thread.
- the external thread and the internal thread have clearance flanks, respectively, wherein the flank angles of the pressure flanks are greater than the flank angles of the clearance flanks, respectively, whereby the external thread and the internal thread have a serration-shaped section.
- the return spring may be a compression coil spring that applies an axial force to the screw rod that tends to push the screw rod out of the nut member.
- the return spring may be a torsion spring that applies torque to the screw rod ring that tends to push the screw rod out of the nut member.
- the torsion spring may be a torsion coil spring, a spiral spring or a volute spring.
- the present invention is applicable to e.g. the following auto-tensioners.
- the auto-tensioner according to the present invention since the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread are not parallel to each other, oil film is less likely to form between the pressure flanks due to the squeezing effect.
- the auto-tensioner according to the present invention can stably perform its damper function even at low temperature where the viscosity of engine oil is high.
- Fig. 1 shows a chain transmission assembly including the auto-tensioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- This chain transmission assembly further includes a sprocket 3 fixed to an engine crankshaft 2, sprockets 5 fixed to respective camshafts 4, and a chain 6 trained around the sprockets 3 and 5, thereby coupling the sprocket 4 to the sprockets 5.
- the rotation of the crankshaft 2 is transmitted to the camshafts 4 through the chain 6, thereby opening and closing valves (not shown) of combustion chambers (also not shown).
- a chain guide 8 pivotable about a pivot shaft 7 is in contact with the chain 6.
- the auto-tensioner 1 presses the chain 6 through the chain guide 8.
- the auto-tensioner 1 comprises a cylindrical housing 9 having open and closed ends, a nut member 10 axially slidably inserted in the housing 9, a screw rod 11 kept in threaded engagement with the nut member 10, and a return spring 12 biasing the screw rod 11.
- the housing 9 is fixed to an engine block 13 (see Fig. 2 ) by means of bolts 14 with its open end facing the chain guide 8.
- the nut member 10 is a cylindrical member having an open end and a bottom at the other end, and is formed with an internal thread 15 on its inner periphery which is in threaded engagement with an external thread 16 formed on the outer periphery of the screw rod 11.
- the screw rod 11 has one end thereof protruding from the nut member 10 and kept in abutment with a rod seat 17 press-fitted into and fixed in position in the housing 9.
- the nut member 10 is mounted in the housing 9 such that the end of the screw rod 11 protruding from the nut member 10 is located in the housing 9.
- the return spring is a compression coil spring, and has one end thereof supported by the nut member 10 through a spring seat 18, thereby applying at the other end an axial force to the screw rod 11 that tends to push the screw rod 11 out of the nut member 10.
- the axial force thus biases the screw rod 11 in a direction to protrude from the nut member 10.
- the nut member 10 is biased in a direction to protrude from the housing 9 under the reaction force of the return spring 12.
- its end protruding from the housing 9 is in abutment with the chain guide 8 and presses the chain 6 through the chain guide 8.
- the housing 9 is formed with an oil supply passage 20 for introducing engine oil into a pressure chamber 19 defined by the housing 9 and the nut member 10.
- the oil supply passage 20 communicates with an oil hole 21 formed in the engine block 13 and is configured to introduce engine oil supplied from an oil pump (not shown) through the oil hole 21 into the pressure chamber 19.
- a check valve 22 is provided which allows only the flow of engine oil into the pressure chamber 19 from the oil supply passage 20.
- An extremely small leakage gap 23 is formed between sliding surfaces of the nut member 10 and the housing 9 so that engine oil in the pressure chamber 19 can leak through the leakage gap 23.
- the external thread 16 has a pressure flank 24 for receiving pressure when axial loads are applied that tend to push the screw rod 11 into the nut member 10, and a clearance flank 25.
- the pressure flank 24 has a flank angle ⁇ that is larger than the flank angle of the clearance flank 25, so that the external thread 16 has a serration-shaped section.
- the internal thread 15 also has a pressure flank 26 adapted to receive pressure when axial loads are applied that tend to push the screw rod 11 into the nut member 10 and having a flank angle ⁇ that is larger than the flank angle of its clearance flank 27, so that the internal thread 15 has a serration-shaped section.
- flank angle ⁇ of the pressure flank 24 of the external thread 16 and the flank angle ⁇ of the pressure flank 26 of the internal thread 15 are determined such that when static loads are applied that tend to push the screw rod 11 into the nut member 10, rotation of the screw rod 11 is restricted by the frictional resistance to rotation produced between the pressure flanks 24 and 26.
- the flank angles of the clearance flanks 25 and 27 of the external and internal threads 16 and 15 are determined such that when static loads are applied that tend to push the screw rod 11 out of the nut member 10, the screw rod 11 is allowed to rotate.
- the flank angle ⁇ of the pressure flank 24 of the external thread 16 is smaller than the flank angle ⁇ of the pressure flank 26 of the internal thread 15.
- the radially outer end portion of the pressure flank 24 of the external thread 16 is adapted to be brought into line contact with the pressure flank 26 of the internal thread 15. If the flank angle ⁇ of the pressure flank 26 of the internal thread 15 is determined to be 75°, the flank angle ⁇ of the pressure flank 24 of the external thread 16 may be determined to be e.g. 74°.
- the clearance flank 25 of the external thread 16 has a flank angle equal to that of the clearance flank 27 of the internal thread 15.
- the tension of the chain 6 may be kept high. But since the chain 6 does not vibrate while the engine is not running, no slip occurs between the pressure flanks 24 and 26 of the external thread 16 and the internal thread 15, thus keeping the screw rod 11 in a fixed position. This makes the chain 6 less likely to slacken when the engine is restarted, thus allowing smooth restart of the engine.
- the pressure flanks 24 and 26 of the external thread 16 and the internal thread 15 may be configured such that the flank angle ⁇ of the pressure flank 24 of the external thread 16 is larger than the flank angle ⁇ of the pressure flank 26 of the internal thread 15.
- the pressure flank 24 of the external thread 16 may have a flank angle ⁇ of 76° while the pressure flank 26 of the internal thread 15 may have a flank angle ⁇ of 75°.
- the radius of friction between the external thread 16 and the internal thread 15 is large, so that it is possible to more effectively prevent slippage between the pressure flanks 24 and 26 of the external thread 16 and the internal thread 15.
- Figs. 5 and 6 show an auto-tensioner 31 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by identical numerals and their description is omitted.
- the auto-tensioner 31 includes a cylindrical housing 32 having open and closed ends, a nut member 10 pressed into and fixed to the housing 32, a screw rod 11 having an external thread 16 on the outer periphery thereof that is in threaded engagement with an internal thread 15 formed on the inner periphery of the nut member 10, and a return spring 12 biasing the screw rod 11.
- the housing 32 is inserted in a tensioner mounting hole 34 formed in an engine cover 33 with its open end protruding into the engine cover 33. As shown in Fig. 5 , the housing 32 has a flange 35 integrally formed on the outer periphery thereof and fixed to the engine cover 33 by bolts 36.
- the nut member 10 is a cylindrical member having openings at both ends and pressed into and fixed to the housing 32.
- the nut member 10 is fixed in position in the housing 32 with its end from which the screw rod 11 protrudes located on the same side as the open end of the housing 32.
- the return spring 12 has one end thereof supported on the closed end of the housing 32 and axially biases, at the other thereof, the screw rod 11 in the direction to protrude from the nut member 10.
- the screw rod 11 is in abutment with the chain guide 8 at its end protruding from the nut member 10, thereby pressing the chain 6 through the chain guide 8.
- the external thread 16 has a pressure flank 24 having a flank angle ⁇ that is larger than the flank angle of the clearance flank 25, so that the external thread 16 has a serration-shaped section.
- the internal thread 15 also has a pressure flank 26 having a flank angle ⁇ that is larger than the flank angle of its clearance flank 27, so that the internal thread 15 has a serration-shaped section.
- the flank angle ⁇ of the pressure flank 24 of the external thread 16 is larger than the flank angle ⁇ of the pressure flank 26 of the internal thread 15.
- an oil film expelling groove 38 may be formed in the pressure flank 24 of the external thread 16.
- the oil expelling groove 38 may be a helical groove extending the center of the pressure flank 24 along its lead. Since such a helical groove can be formed simultaneously when forming the external thread 16 by rolling, it can be formed at a low cost.
- an additional oil film expelling groove 39 may be formed in the pressure flank 26 of the internal thread 15.
- the oil film expelling groove 39 may also be a helical groove extending the center of the pressure flank 26 along its lead. Since such a helical groove can be formed simultaneously when forming the internal thread 15 by tapping, it can be formed at a low cost.
- a compression coil spring is used as the return spring 12 for biasing the screw rod 11 in the direction to protrude from the nut member 10.
- a torsion coil spring may be used instead.
- the return spring of Fig. 10 has one end thereof engaged in an engaging hole 40 formed in the closed end of the housing 32 and the other end engaged in an engaging hole 41 formed in the screw rod 11, thereby applying torque to the screw rod 11 that tends to push the screw rod 11 out of the nut member 10 by its torsional deformation.
- the return spring 12 may be a torsion spring other than a torsion coil spring, such as ones shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 14 .
- the return spring 12 shown in Figs. 11 and 12 is a spiral spring comprising a spirally wound thin sheet material.
- This return spring 12 has its radially outer end rotationally fixed to the closed end of the housing 32 and its radially inner end inserted in a slit formed in a protrusion 42 of the screw rod 11 that is located in the nut member 10, thereby applying torque to the screw rod 11 that tends to push the screw rod 11 out of the nut member 10 by its torsional deformation.
- the external thread 16 on the outer periphery of the screw rod 11 is a triangular thread of which the pressure flank 24 and the clearance flank 25 are equal in flank angle to each other.
- the internal thread 15 on the inner periphery of the nut member 10 is also a triangular thread of which the pressure flank 26 and the clearance flank 27 are equal in flank angle to each other.
- the pressure flank 24 of the external thread 16 has a smaller flank angle than the pressure flank 26 of the internal thread 15.
- the return spring 12 is a volute spring comprising a helically wound thin sheet, having its radially outer end rotationally fixed to the closed end of the housing 32 and its radially inner end received in a slit formed in a protrusion 43 of the screw rod 11 located in the nut member 10, thereby applying torque to the screw rod 11 that tends to push the screw rod 11 out of the nut member 10 by its torsional deformation.
- the external thread 16 on the outer periphery of the screw rod 11 is a trapezoidal thread of which the pressure flank 24 and the clearance flank 25 are equal in flank angle to each other.
- the internal thread 15 on the inner periphery of the nut member 10 is also a trapezoidal thread of which the pressure flank 26 and the clearance flank 27 are equal in flank angle to each other.
- the pressure flank 24 of the external thread 16 has a smaller flank angle than the pressure flank 26 of the internal thread 15.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Devices For Conveying Motion By Means Of Endless Flexible Members (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to an auto-tensioner for maintaining the tension of a chain or a toothed belt for driving camshafts of an automotive engine.
- In an automotive engine, the rotation of the crankshaft is transmitted to camshafts through a chain or a toothed belt (hereinafter referred only to a chain) to rotate the camshafts and thereby open and close valves for combustion chambers. In order to keep the tension of the chain to a proper range, a tension adjusting device is frequently used which comprises a chain guide pivotable about a pivot shaft, and an auto-tensioner for pressing the chain through the chain guide.
- One known auto-tensioner of this type includes a nut member having an internal thread on its inner periphery, a screw rod having an external thread on its outer periphery that is in threaded engagement with the internal thread of the nut member, and a return spring biasing the screw rod in the direction to protrude from the nut member, thereby removing slackness of the chain by protruding the screw rod from the nut member (see for example:
JP patent publications 9-280330A 2008-267560A 2007-218371A - In either of the auto-tensioners disclosed in
JP 9-280330A 2008-267560A - In the auto-tensioner disclosed in
JP 2007-218371A - With these auto-tensioners, when the tension of the chain increases while the engine is running, an axial load is applied that tends to push the screw rod into the nut member. This axial load is received by the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread. As the chain vibrates, slip occurs continuously between the pressure flanks, thereby causing the screw rod to be gradually pushed into the nut member, thereby reducing the tension of the chain. Since the slip between the pressure flanks due to vibration of the chain is very small, the screw rod is moved slowly, producing the damper effect.
- When the tension of the chain decreases while the engine is running, the screw rod protrudes from the nut member under the force of the return spring, thereby removing slackness of the chain.
- According to the stop positions of the camshafts when the engine is stopped, the tension of the chain 6 may be kept high. But since the chain does not vibrate while the engine is not running, no slip occurs between the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread, thus keeping the screw rod in a fixed position. This makes the chain less likely to slacken when the engine is restarted, thus allowing smooth restart of the engine.
- With this type of auto-tensioners, the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread extend parallel to each other. Thus, when these pressure flanks contact each other, engine oil present between these pressure flanks tends to form oil film due to the squeezing effect, especially at low temperature because the viscosity of engine oil is high at low temperature.
- If oil film forms between the pressure flanks, the oil film dramatically reduces the frictional resistance between the pressure flanks, causing excessive slippage between the pressure flanks. As a result, the screw rod may move at too high a speed when the tension of the chain increases, thus reducing the damper effect of the auto-tensioner.
JP 10-184824A - An object of the present invention is to prevent formation of oil film between the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread due to the squeezing effect, thereby stabilizing the damper effect of the auto-tensioner and to prevent slippage between the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread more effectively.
- In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides an auto-tensioner in which the pressure flank of the external thread has a flank angle that is smaller than the flank angle of the pressure flank of the internal thread. With this arrangement, since the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread are not parallel to each other, oil film is less likely to form between the pressure flanks due to the squeezing effect.
- With this arrangement, since the external thread and the internal thread contact each other at their radially outer portion, the radius of friction between the external thread and the internal thread is larger than when the pressure flank of the external thread has a larger flank angle than the pressure flank of the internal thread, so that it is possible to more effectively prevent slippage between the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread.
- Preferably, an oil film expelling groove is formed in at least one of the pressure flank of the external thread and the pressure flank of the internal thread. With this arrangement, when the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread contact each other, any engine oil present between the pressure flanks is allowed to be discharged through the oil film expelling groove. This effectively suppresses formation of oil film due to the squeezing effect. The oil expelling groove may be a helical groove extending the center of the pressure flank along its lead.
- In a specific arrangement, the external thread and the internal thread have clearance flanks, respectively, wherein the flank angles of the pressure flanks are greater than the flank angles of the clearance flanks, respectively, whereby the external thread and the internal thread have a serration-shaped section. In this case, the return spring may be a compression coil spring that applies an axial force to the screw rod that tends to push the screw rod out of the nut member.
- If the external thread and the internal thread are serration-shaped threads, trapezoidal threads, or triangular threads, the return spring may be a torsion spring that applies torque to the screw rod ring that tends to push the screw rod out of the nut member. The torsion spring may be a torsion coil spring, a spiral spring or a volute spring.
- The present invention is applicable to e.g. the following auto-tensioners.
- (1) An auto-tensioner wherein the nut member is slidably inserted in a cylindrical housing having an open end and a closed end such that an end of the screw rod protruding from the nut member is located nearer to the closed end of the housing and is in abutment with a rod seat provided in the housing, whereby the nut member presses a chain or a belt.
- (2) An auto-tensioner wherein the nut member is fixedly mounted in a cylindrical housing having an open end and a closed end such that an end of the screw rod protruding from the nut member is located nearer to the open end of the housing, whereby the screw rod presses a chain or a belt.
- With the auto-tensioner according to the present invention, since the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread are not parallel to each other, oil film is less likely to form between the pressure flanks due to the squeezing effect. Thus, the auto-tensioner according to the present invention can stably perform its damper function even at low temperature where the viscosity of engine oil is high.
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Fig. 1 is a front view of a chain transmission assembly including an auto-tensioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line II-II ofFig. 1 ; -
Fig. 3A is a partial enlarged sectional view of the auto-tensioner ofFig. 2 , showing its external thread and internal thread when their clearance flanks are in contact with each other; -
Fig. 3B is a view similar toFig. 3A and showing the state when the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread are in contact with each other. -
Figs. 4A and 4B show a modification of the auto-tensioner ofFigs. 3A and 3B in which the pressure flank of the external thread has a larger flank angle than the pressure flank of the internal thread, of whichFig. 4A is an enlarged sectional view of the external and internal threads when their clearance flanks are in contact with each other andFig. 4B is an enlarged sectional view of the external and internal threads when their pressure flanks are in contact with each other; -
Fig. 5 is front view of a chain transmission assembly including an auto-tensioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line VI-VI ofFig. 5 ; -
Fig. 7A is a partial enlarged sectional view of the auto-tensioner ofFig. 6 , showing its external thread and internal thread when their clearance flanks are in contact with each other; -
Fig. 7B is a view similar toFig. 7A and showing the state when the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal thread are in contact with each other. -
Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the external and internal threads of a modification ofFigs. 7A and 7B in which an oil film expelling groove is formed in the pressure flank of the external thread; -
Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the external and internal threads of a modification ofFigs. 7A and 7B in which oil film expelling grooves are formed in the pressure flanks of the external thread and the internal threads, respectively; -
Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a modification ofFig. 6 in which a torsion coil spring is used as the return spring; -
Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of a modification ofFig. 6 in which a spiral spring is used as the return spring; -
Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line XII-XII ofFig. 11 ; -
Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of the external thread and the internal thread shown inFig. 11 ; -
Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view of a modification ofFig. 6 in which a volute spring is used as the return spring; and -
Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of the external thread and the internal thread shown inFig. 14 . -
Fig. 1 shows a chain transmission assembly including the auto-tensioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This chain transmission assembly further includes asprocket 3 fixed to anengine crankshaft 2,sprockets 5 fixed torespective camshafts 4, and a chain 6 trained around thesprockets sprocket 4 to thesprockets 5. Thus, the rotation of thecrankshaft 2 is transmitted to thecamshafts 4 through the chain 6, thereby opening and closing valves (not shown) of combustion chambers (also not shown). - A
chain guide 8 pivotable about apivot shaft 7 is in contact with the chain 6. The auto-tensioner 1 presses the chain 6 through thechain guide 8. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , the auto-tensioner 1 comprises acylindrical housing 9 having open and closed ends, anut member 10 axially slidably inserted in thehousing 9, ascrew rod 11 kept in threaded engagement with thenut member 10, and areturn spring 12 biasing thescrew rod 11. - As shown in
Fig. 1 , thehousing 9 is fixed to an engine block 13 (seeFig. 2 ) by means ofbolts 14 with its open end facing thechain guide 8. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , thenut member 10 is a cylindrical member having an open end and a bottom at the other end, and is formed with aninternal thread 15 on its inner periphery which is in threaded engagement with anexternal thread 16 formed on the outer periphery of thescrew rod 11. Thescrew rod 11 has one end thereof protruding from thenut member 10 and kept in abutment with arod seat 17 press-fitted into and fixed in position in thehousing 9. Thenut member 10 is mounted in thehousing 9 such that the end of thescrew rod 11 protruding from thenut member 10 is located in thehousing 9. - The return spring is a compression coil spring, and has one end thereof supported by the
nut member 10 through aspring seat 18, thereby applying at the other end an axial force to thescrew rod 11 that tends to push thescrew rod 11 out of thenut member 10. The axial force thus biases thescrew rod 11 in a direction to protrude from thenut member 10. - As a result, the
nut member 10 is biased in a direction to protrude from thehousing 9 under the reaction force of thereturn spring 12. Thus, its end protruding from thehousing 9 is in abutment with thechain guide 8 and presses the chain 6 through thechain guide 8. - The
housing 9 is formed with anoil supply passage 20 for introducing engine oil into apressure chamber 19 defined by thehousing 9 and thenut member 10. Theoil supply passage 20 communicates with anoil hole 21 formed in theengine block 13 and is configured to introduce engine oil supplied from an oil pump (not shown) through theoil hole 21 into thepressure chamber 19. At the outlet of theoil supply passage 20, acheck valve 22 is provided which allows only the flow of engine oil into thepressure chamber 19 from theoil supply passage 20. - An extremely
small leakage gap 23 is formed between sliding surfaces of thenut member 10 and thehousing 9 so that engine oil in thepressure chamber 19 can leak through theleakage gap 23. - As shown in
Fig. 3A , theexternal thread 16 has apressure flank 24 for receiving pressure when axial loads are applied that tend to push thescrew rod 11 into thenut member 10, and aclearance flank 25. Thepressure flank 24 has a flank angle α that is larger than the flank angle of theclearance flank 25, so that theexternal thread 16 has a serration-shaped section. Similarly, theinternal thread 15 also has apressure flank 26 adapted to receive pressure when axial loads are applied that tend to push thescrew rod 11 into thenut member 10 and having a flank angle β that is larger than the flank angle of itsclearance flank 27, so that theinternal thread 15 has a serration-shaped section. - The flank angle α of the
pressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 and the flank angle β of thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15 are determined such that when static loads are applied that tend to push thescrew rod 11 into thenut member 10, rotation of thescrew rod 11 is restricted by the frictional resistance to rotation produced between the pressure flanks 24 and 26. The flank angles of the clearance flanks 25 and 27 of the external andinternal threads screw rod 11 out of thenut member 10, thescrew rod 11 is allowed to rotate. - The flank angle α of the
pressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 is smaller than the flank angle β of thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15. Thus, as shown inFig. 3B , when loads are applied that tend to push thescrew rod 11 into thenut member 10, the radially outer end portion of thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 is adapted to be brought into line contact with thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15. If the flank angle β of thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15 is determined to be 75°, the flank angle α of thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 may be determined to be e.g. 74°. Theclearance flank 25 of theexternal thread 16 has a flank angle equal to that of theclearance flank 27 of theinternal thread 15. - Now the operation of this auto-tensioner is described.
- When the tension of the chain increases while the engine is running, an axial load is applied that tends to push the
screw rod 11 into thenut member 10, by the tension of the chain 6, and the axial load is received by the pressure flanks 24 and 26 of theexternal thread 16 and theinternal thread 15. As the chain 6 vibrates, slip occurs continuously between the pressure flanks 24 and 26, thereby causing thescrew rod 11 to be gradually pushed into thenut member 10, and thenut member 10 to be gradually pushed into thehousing 9. The tension of the chain 6 is thus absorbed. Since the slip between the pressure flanks 24 and 26 in this state is very small, thescrew rod 11 is moved slowly, producing the damper effect. The damper effect is also produced by the viscous resistance of engine oil that flows out of thepressure chamber 19 through theleakage gap 23. - When the tension of the chain 6 decreases while the engine is running, the
screw rod 11 protrudes from thenut member 10 under the force of thereturn spring 12, so that thenut member 10 also protrudes from thehousing 9, thereby eliminating slackness of the chain 6. In this state, thecheck valve 22 opens, allowing engine oil to be introduced into thepressure chamber 19 through theoil supply passage 20, so that thenut member 10 moves quickly. - According to the stop positions of the
camshafts 4 when the engine is stopped, the tension of the chain 6 may be kept high. But since the chain 6 does not vibrate while the engine is not running, no slip occurs between the pressure flanks 24 and 26 of theexternal thread 16 and theinternal thread 15, thus keeping thescrew rod 11 in a fixed position. This makes the chain 6 less likely to slacken when the engine is restarted, thus allowing smooth restart of the engine. - With this auto-
tensioner 1, since thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 is not parallel to thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15, oil film is less likely to develop between the pressure flanks 24 and 26 due to the squeezing effect. This suppresses excessive slip between the pressure flanks 24 and 26 of theexternal thread 16 and theinternal thread 15 even when the ambient temperature is low and the viscosity of engine oil high, which in turn allows the auto-tensioner to stably perform its damper function. - As shown in
Figs. 4A and 4B , the pressure flanks 24 and 26 of theexternal thread 16 and theinternal thread 15 may be configured such that the flank angle α of thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 is larger than the flank angle β of thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15. (For example, thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 may have a flank angle α of 76° while thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15 may have a flank angle β of 75°.) But as shown inFig. 3A , by determining the flank angle α of thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 to be smaller than the flank angle β of thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15, since theexternal thread 16 and theinternal thread 15 contact each other at their radially outer portions as shown inFig. 3B , the radius of friction between theexternal thread 16 and theinternal thread 15 is large, so that it is possible to more effectively prevent slippage between the pressure flanks 24 and 26 of theexternal thread 16 and theinternal thread 15. -
Figs. 5 and6 show an auto-tensioner 31 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by identical numerals and their description is omitted. - As shown in
Fig. 6 , the auto-tensioner 31 includes acylindrical housing 32 having open and closed ends, anut member 10 pressed into and fixed to thehousing 32, ascrew rod 11 having anexternal thread 16 on the outer periphery thereof that is in threaded engagement with aninternal thread 15 formed on the inner periphery of thenut member 10, and areturn spring 12 biasing thescrew rod 11. - The
housing 32 is inserted in atensioner mounting hole 34 formed in anengine cover 33 with its open end protruding into theengine cover 33. As shown inFig. 5 , thehousing 32 has aflange 35 integrally formed on the outer periphery thereof and fixed to theengine cover 33 bybolts 36. - As shown in
Fig. 6 , thenut member 10 is a cylindrical member having openings at both ends and pressed into and fixed to thehousing 32. Thenut member 10 is fixed in position in thehousing 32 with its end from which thescrew rod 11 protrudes located on the same side as the open end of thehousing 32. - The
return spring 12 has one end thereof supported on the closed end of thehousing 32 and axially biases, at the other thereof, thescrew rod 11 in the direction to protrude from thenut member 10. Thescrew rod 11 is in abutment with thechain guide 8 at its end protruding from thenut member 10, thereby pressing the chain 6 through thechain guide 8. - As shown in
Fig. 7A , theexternal thread 16 has apressure flank 24 having a flank angle α that is larger than the flank angle of theclearance flank 25, so that theexternal thread 16 has a serration-shaped section. Similarly, theinternal thread 15 also has apressure flank 26 having a flank angle β that is larger than the flank angle of itsclearance flank 27, so that theinternal thread 15 has a serration-shaped section. Also, the flank angle α of thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 is larger than the flank angle β of thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15. Thus, as shown inFig. 7B , when a load is applied to thescrew rod 11 that tends to push the screw rod into the nut member, the radially inner end portion of thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15 is adapted to be brought into line contact with thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16. - With this auto-
tensioner 31, as in the first embodiment, since thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 is not parallel to thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15, oil film is less likely to develop between the pressure flanks 24 and 26 due to the squeezing effect, thus allowing the auto-tensioner to stably perform its damper function. - As shown in
Fig. 8 , an oilfilm expelling groove 38 may be formed in thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16. With this arrangement, when the pressure flanks 24 and 26 of theexternal thread 16 and theinternal thread 15 contact each other, any engine oil present between the pressure flanks 24 and 26 is allowed to be discharged through the oilfilm expelling groove 38. This effectively suppresses formation of oil film due to the squeezing effect. As shown, theoil expelling groove 38 may be a helical groove extending the center of thepressure flank 24 along its lead. Since such a helical groove can be formed simultaneously when forming theexternal thread 16 by rolling, it can be formed at a low cost. - As shown in
Fig. 9 , an additional oilfilm expelling groove 39 may be formed in thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15. The oilfilm expelling groove 39 may also be a helical groove extending the center of thepressure flank 26 along its lead. Since such a helical groove can be formed simultaneously when forming theinternal thread 15 by tapping, it can be formed at a low cost. - In the embodiments, a compression coil spring is used as the
return spring 12 for biasing thescrew rod 11 in the direction to protrude from thenut member 10. But as shown inFig. 10 , a torsion coil spring may be used instead. - The return spring of
Fig. 10 has one end thereof engaged in an engaginghole 40 formed in the closed end of thehousing 32 and the other end engaged in an engaginghole 41 formed in thescrew rod 11, thereby applying torque to thescrew rod 11 that tends to push thescrew rod 11 out of thenut member 10 by its torsional deformation. - Further alternatively, the
return spring 12 may be a torsion spring other than a torsion coil spring, such as ones shown inFigs. 11, 12 and14 . - The
return spring 12 shown inFigs. 11 and 12 is a spiral spring comprising a spirally wound thin sheet material. Thisreturn spring 12 has its radially outer end rotationally fixed to the closed end of thehousing 32 and its radially inner end inserted in a slit formed in aprotrusion 42 of thescrew rod 11 that is located in thenut member 10, thereby applying torque to thescrew rod 11 that tends to push thescrew rod 11 out of thenut member 10 by its torsional deformation. - As shown in
Fig. 13 , theexternal thread 16 on the outer periphery of thescrew rod 11 is a triangular thread of which thepressure flank 24 and theclearance flank 25 are equal in flank angle to each other. Theinternal thread 15 on the inner periphery of thenut member 10 is also a triangular thread of which thepressure flank 26 and theclearance flank 27 are equal in flank angle to each other. Thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 has a smaller flank angle than thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15. - In the arrangement in which the
external thread 16 and theinternal thread 15 are triangular threads, too, by arranging thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 so as not to be parallel to thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15, oil film is less likely to develop due to the squeezing effect, which in turn allows the auto-tensioner to stably perform its damper function. - In the arrangement of
Fig. 14 , thereturn spring 12 is a volute spring comprising a helically wound thin sheet, having its radially outer end rotationally fixed to the closed end of thehousing 32 and its radially inner end received in a slit formed in aprotrusion 43 of thescrew rod 11 located in thenut member 10, thereby applying torque to thescrew rod 11 that tends to push thescrew rod 11 out of thenut member 10 by its torsional deformation. - As shown in
Fig. 15 , theexternal thread 16 on the outer periphery of thescrew rod 11 is a trapezoidal thread of which thepressure flank 24 and theclearance flank 25 are equal in flank angle to each other. Theinternal thread 15 on the inner periphery of thenut member 10 is also a trapezoidal thread of which thepressure flank 26 and theclearance flank 27 are equal in flank angle to each other. Thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 has a smaller flank angle than thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15. - In the arrangement in which the
external thread 16 and theinternal thread 15 are trapezoidal threads, too, by arranging thepressure flank 24 of theexternal thread 16 so as not to be parallel to thepressure flank 26 of theinternal thread 15, oil film is less likely to develop due to the squeezing effect, which in turn allows the auto-tensioner to stably perform its damper function.
Claims (8)
- An auto-tensioner comprising a nut member (10) having an internal thread on its inner periphery, a screw rod (11) having an external thread (16) on its outer periphery which is in threaded engagement with the internal thread (15), said external thread (16) and said internal thread (15) having pressure flanks (24 and 26), respectively, for receiving pressure when an axial load is applied that tends to push the screw rod (11) into the nut member (10), and a return spring (12) biasing the screw rod (11) in a direction to protrude from the nut member (10), thereby removing slackness of a chain (6) or a belt by protruding the screw rod (11) from the nut member (10),
characterized in that
the flank angle (α) of the pressure flank (24) of the external thread (16) is smaller than the flank angle (β) of the pressure flank (26) of the internal thread (15). - The auto-tensioner of claim 1 wherein an oil film expelling groove (38, 39) is formed in at least one of the pressure flank (24) of the external thread (16) and the pressure flank (26) of the internal thread (15).
- The auto-tensioner of claim 2 wherein said oil film expelling groove (38, 39) is a helical groove extending the central portion of said at least one of the pressure flanks (24, 26) along its lead.
- The auto-tensioner of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said external thread (16) and the internal thread (15) have clearance flanks (25 and 27), respectively, wherein the flank angles (α and β) of the pressure flanks (24 and 26) are greater than the flank angles of the clearance flanks (25 and 27), respectively, whereby the external thread (16) and the internal thread (15) have a serration-shaped section, and wherein said return spring (12) is a compression coil spring that applies an axial force to the screw rod (11) that tends to push the screw rod (11) out of the nut member (10).
- The auto-tensioner of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said external thread (16) and the internal thread (15) are serration-shaped threads, trapezoidal threads, or triangular threads, and wherein said return spring (12) is a torsion spring that applies torque to the screw rod (11) that tends to push the screw rod (11) out of the nut member (10).
- The auto-tensioner of claim 5 wherein said torsion spring is a torsion coil spring, a spiral spring or a volute spring.
- The auto-tensioner of any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the nut member (10) is slidably inserted in a cylindrical housing (9) having an open end and a closed end such that an end of the screw rod (11) protruding from the nut member (10) is located nearer to the closed end of the housing (9) and is in abutment with a rod seat (17) provided in the housing (9), whereby the nut member (10) presses a chain (6) or a belt.
- The auto-tensioner of any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the nut member (10) is fixedly mounted in a cylindrical housing (32) having an open end and a closed end such that an end of the screw rod (11) protruding from the nut member (10) is located nearer to the open end of the housing (32), whereby the screw rod (11) presses a chain (6) or a belt.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2009089146A JP5294119B2 (en) | 2009-04-01 | 2009-04-01 | Auto tensioner |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2236859A1 EP2236859A1 (en) | 2010-10-06 |
EP2236859B1 true EP2236859B1 (en) | 2012-05-16 |
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EP20100157667 Active EP2236859B1 (en) | 2009-04-01 | 2010-03-25 | Auto-tensioner |
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JP (1) | JP5294119B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102013201446A1 (en) | 2013-01-30 | 2014-07-31 | Schaeffler Technologies Gmbh & Co. Kg | Mechanical chain tensioner for traction drive of internal combustion engine of motorcycles, has piston that includes external thread which is directly or indirectly in operative engagement with internal thread of sleeve on housing |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2016006471A1 (en) * | 2014-07-08 | 2016-01-14 | 日本発條株式会社 | Tensioner |
JP5892715B1 (en) * | 2015-11-09 | 2016-03-23 | 松栄製鋲株式会社 | Spring sheet manufacturing method, and rolling die used in the spring sheet manufacturing method |
JP6433519B2 (en) * | 2017-01-16 | 2018-12-05 | Ntn株式会社 | Chain tensioner |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JP3712468B2 (en) | 1996-04-17 | 2005-11-02 | Ntn株式会社 | Chain tensioner |
JP3936006B2 (en) * | 1996-12-24 | 2007-06-27 | 日本発条株式会社 | Propulsion device |
JP4903403B2 (en) * | 2005-07-19 | 2012-03-28 | Ntn株式会社 | Auto tensioner |
JP4680736B2 (en) * | 2005-09-28 | 2011-05-11 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Tensioner lifter |
JP4786364B2 (en) | 2006-02-17 | 2011-10-05 | Ntn株式会社 | Chain tensioner |
JP4943928B2 (en) | 2007-04-24 | 2012-05-30 | Ntn株式会社 | Chain tensioner |
-
2009
- 2009-04-01 JP JP2009089146A patent/JP5294119B2/en active Active
-
2010
- 2010-03-25 EP EP20100157667 patent/EP2236859B1/en active Active
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102013201446A1 (en) | 2013-01-30 | 2014-07-31 | Schaeffler Technologies Gmbh & Co. Kg | Mechanical chain tensioner for traction drive of internal combustion engine of motorcycles, has piston that includes external thread which is directly or indirectly in operative engagement with internal thread of sleeve on housing |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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JP2010242784A (en) | 2010-10-28 |
JP5294119B2 (en) | 2013-09-18 |
EP2236859A1 (en) | 2010-10-06 |
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